CARD MRI Astro Laboratories, an institution under the CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), celebrates its 2nd anniversary on August 6, 2021.
CARD Astro’s developments and achievements in its two years of operation place itself as one of CARD MRI’s essential institutions, especially during the pandemic.
The Laboratory supports CARD MRI and its clients through its disinfectant products such as alcohol, hand soap, and dishwashing liquid. “CARD Astro Lab, amid the panic-buying for alcohol, uninterruptedly provided hygiene kits to more than 3,500 offices of CARD MRI nationwide. Through our products and services, CARD Astro Lab continues to provide safety inside the CARD premises and additional protection against the COVID-19 virus among CARD MRI staff and clients during their public transactions,” said CARD Astro Lab’s President Maria Gracia Q. Contreras.
Gradual growth and development
On April 28, 2021, CARD Astro received its License to Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to further improve its services to CARD MRI and its clients. For companies like CARD Astro, acquiring an LTO allows the said company to produce and trade its products in the market.
Following the acquisition of its License to Operate, CARD Astro opened its new laboratory located on Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna on May 10, 2021. The establishment of the laboratory increases CARD Astro’s production capability and capacity.
“The achievements of CARD Astro are very timely. With the FDA granting them their License to Operate, they can now provide disinfectants to our clients and the public, something that is vital as we fight COVID-19. With their laboratory, they can now hire more people as their production capacity increases, providing employment opportunities to those who lost their job. These things, as we aim to help our fellowmen, kill two birds with one stone, and with that, I am amazed of CARD Astro,” CARD MRI Managing Director Aristeo A. Dequito on how CARD Astro contributes to CARD MRI’s goal of helping the country amidst the pandemic.
Contreras also attributed the company’s gradual development to its hardworking staff. “I would also like to give recognition to CARD Astro’s reliable, responsible, and dedicated staff as they have put a great deal of effort to get us where we are today. Without them, we would not get far in just two years. I am deeply grateful to be able to work with them,” said Contreras.
Plans of expansion are now possible with the acquisition of both the license to operate and the laboratory. “We are hoping to also launch laboratories located in the Visayas and Mindanao in the future so that we can reach more communities in need of essential products and employment opportunities,” said Contreras. She also mentioned developing new lines of products such as organic cosmetics.
“CARD Astro is one with the whole CARD MRI in its goal of poverty eradication. Through our products that promote health and the total well-being of Filipino families, we contribute to CARD MRI’s aim of uplifting the lives of the communities we serve,” concluded Contreras.
